Effectiveness-Analysis of one-stage Operation for Combined Ankle Fracture and III Degree Lateral Ligament Injury: A Retrospective Study of 23 Cases

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Background: Ankle fracture is often accompanied by injuries of lateral collateral ligaments, which results in ankle instability and traumatic arthritis in the later period, causing pain and discomfort in patients. However, the repair of the lateral collateral ligament is still inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the operative outcome of one-stage simultaneous repair of the foot and ankle fracture combined with the III grade injury of lateral ligament. Methods: 15 males and 8 females (mean age 37.8 [10.5] years) underwent X-ray and CT scan to determine the type of fracture. MRI, Ultrasound and intraoperative fluoroscopic stress testing were applied to confirm the ligament injury. After the operative treatment of fracture, the ruptured ligament was repaired with suture anchor in 21 cases, meanwhile 1 case combined with chronic ankle instability was repaired with modified Broström-Gould method and another case with middle ligament rupture was applied with the InternalBrace approach. Routine postoperative X-rays and physical examination were carried out, and the American Orthopaedic Food &amp; Ankle Society score was recorded to assess the function and the pain of the wounded ankle. Results: After the operation, the range of ankle motion in all patients was improved, and the bone healing time of the patients was 6-24 (10.09±3.61) weeks. There was no chronic instability of lateral ankle or subtalar joint in all the cases. Moreover, 2 cases presented as cartilage lesions of the medial talus, and the micro-fracture surgery were performed one year later; 1 case suffered from subtalar arthritis, and underwent subtalar arthrodesis 14 months after operation. Furthermore, the patients’ last follow-up AOFAS score was (83.70±4.69) points. There was no occurrence of adverse events and complications such as neurovascular injury, infection or delayed healing of operative incision.Conclusions: One-stage simultaneous repair of the foot and ankle fracture combined with the III grade injury of lateral ligament contributes to the stability of ankle and subtalar joint, and improves the joint function of ankle. It proved to be safe and effective.</jats:p>